Little did they know that good leadership does not lie in the material features of the leader, but rather, in the inherent, psychological and emotional composition of such a leader which must agree with the conscious response to the prevailing well-being and safety of the majority of the led, and that is exactly what His Excellency, Rt. Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru represents.
Contrary to the expectations of those who were still disposed to the incredulity of the distinctness of his would-be administration, Chief Nwifuru released his manifesto, "The People's Charter of Need". An all-encompassing manifesto.
Those of us who know his unprecedented accomplishments in human building, the ingenuity of his personality and the purposefulness of results-driven legislation as the Honourable Speaker of the most peaceful House of Assembly in Nigeria for eight years saw the manifesto as a receptacle of the need for Ebonyi people, from where it would be tackled precipitately.
It is pleasing to know that within one month after being inaugurated as the 4th Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has begun to make quiet the fear of the sceptics by translating into reality his manifesto, "The People's Charter of Need". He has not just hit the ground running but is already fully committed to the speedy development of Ebonyi State.
First, the appointment of Special Assistants on Internal Security for each of the 13 Local Government Areas in the state demonstrates the governor's consciousness of the safety of the people and their property. With this, community policing has been introduced, and there is no doubt that Ebonyi and its residents across the state will be at peace throughout his administration.
The approval of the governor to employ health personnel to man our health institutions at primary and secondary levels also shows that Gov Nwifuru is sensitive to the plight of the people in terms of adequate health service delivery. Our health centres and general hospitals will work again, and the people will soon be happy as plans to provide good health conditions are concretely put in place.
In a similar development, the constitution of the State Executive Council with men of proven integrity, peculiarities and competence by His Excellency, Gov Nwifuru portrays the wit and mental capacity of a man who has come with the best to give the best to the people. These men and women will in no doubt provide the desired governance to the people as enshrined in the People's Charter of Needs.
A few days ago, the governor had separately in the audience the Governing Council and management of Ebonyi State University led by heads of the institutions respectively. A new cause has been championed for the schools In no distant time, the management, staff and students of the once glorified institutions will smile again. The governor has also reiterated his readiness to reform Ebonyi State Civil Service in general, promising to promote the workers accordingly and pay gratuity and other retirement benefits to the retirees.
Chief Nwifuru as a good leader is already preoccupied with the welfare or thought of what to do for the Ebonyi people. He thinks of how to affect lives very positively. He has prioritised the social, economic, educational and health well-being of Ebonyi residents above his comfort. The copious and vast extents extent to which he has appointed our women and youths of Ebonyi State into positions of trust is commendable.
It is the beginning that the Ebonyi people want.
May FON succeed now and always!
Emeka Nwonu,
The APC Publicity Secretary,
Ezza North LGA
